Good news and bad news from Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A car bomb exploded Thursday in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, killing at least 10 people and threatening to heighten sectarian tensions. Shiite politicians also blocked a bid to have parliament try to break the deadlock on forming a new government.

Elsewhere, the U.S. military announced the arrest of a top insurgent leader believed to have been responsible for last year’s kidnapping of Italian journalist Guiliana Sgrena.

Some 30 people were wounded in the Najaf car bombing, which occurred about 300 yards from the Imam Ali shrine, police chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Miadal said. The shrine is among the world’s most sacred Shiite sites and contains the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law, Imam Ali.

Dr. Essa Mohammed, director of the Najaf morgue, said 10 people were killed, including four women.

Bad news: 10 people killed. Good news: they didn’t blow up the Shrine of the Imam. Good news: top Al Qaeda thug captured. Bad news: there are lots more where he came from—this whole thing isn’t about rounding up a few nogoodniks. Bad news: the Iraqi government is still just a debating society. Good news: at least they’re still talking.